Portable intravenous solution preparation apparatus and method

Abstract

A modular, portable intravenous solution preparation system consists of a plurality of reusable modular sections for creating ultra pure, intravenously injectable quality water and a consumable reagent module for producing an injectable quality solution. An intake mechanism advantageously prefilters raw water for input to the modules. A pressure regulating system maintains pressure in a reverse osmosis stage within a desired range.

I claim: 
     
       1. A modular, portable intravenous solution preparation system, comprising: a reusable potable water making first module having a substantially buoyant raw water intake mechanism fluidly connected in series to a pressure generating mechanism, a prefilter mechanism, a reverse osmosis mechanism and a quick release first module fluid outlet;   an injectable water making second module having a quick release second module fluid inlet fluidly connected in series to a deionizing mechanism, an activated carbon mechanism, and a second module fluid outlet, wherein the second module fluid inlet is connectable only with the first module fluid outlet;   a consumable reagent third module having a quick release third module fluid inlet, a predetermined quantity of reagent, and a quick release third module fluid outlet, wherein the third module fluid inlet is connectable only with the second module fluid outlet; and   a fourth single use sterilization module having a quick release fourth module fluid inlet fluidly connected in series to a sterilization mechanism and an intravenous solution bag, whereby insertion of the raw water intake mechanism into an impure water source followed by operation of the pressure generating mechanism causes impure water to flow through the system and become injectable quality solution in the intravenous solution bag.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure generating mechanism includes a manually operated pump stage connected to a pressure regulating stage, and further includes substantially blockage resistant unidirectional flow devices between the raw water intake mechanism and the pump stage, between the pump stage and the pressure regulating stage, and between the pressure regulating stage and the first module fluid outlet. 
     
     
       3. The system of claim 2, wherein the unidirectional flow devices have flaps having a peripheral edge thereof bonded to an end of a tube. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 3, wherein the tube and the flap are manufactured from a resilient material and wherein the peripheral edge of the flap is bonded to a peripheral edge of the tube end. 
     
     
       5. The system of claim 2, wherein the pressure regulating stage has a substantially resilient bladder having a predetermined thickness, a predetermined modulus of elasticity and defines a preselected volume within a substantially rigid body, and wherein the reverse osmosis mechanism has a concentrate flow outlet including a restrictor for maintaining a desired pressure in the reverse osmosis mechanism in the range of approximately 40 to 75 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
       6. The system of claim 5, wherein the restrictor is pliable and has an orifice having a diameter of approximately 0.010 inch. 
     
     
       7. The system of claim wherein the prefilter mechanism has first, second, third and fourth concentric stages of sequentially finer filtering ability and radial flow direction means for directing fluid flow radially through the first, second and third concentric stages and axial flow directing means for directing fluid flow axially through the fourth stage. 
     
     
       8. The system of claim 1, wherein the reagent is soluble and wherein the third module has expandable frits between the reagent and the reagent third module fluid inlet and the third module fluid outlet to volumetrically compensate for dissolution of the reagent thereby substantially avoiding the formation of voids and channels in the reagent as the reagent dissolves. 
     
     
       9. The system of claim 8, wherein the frits are manufactured from a fluid permeable sponge material capable of expanding more than 100% in volume when hydrated. 
     
     
       10. The system of claim wherein the raw water intake mechanism has a gross particle strainer and buoyancy means for causing a center of buoyancy distinct from a center of mass so that the raw water intake mechanism tends to assume a particular orientation, and wherein the raw water intake mechanism has an intake port substantially adjacent to the center of mass so that the intake port is automatically positioned at a preferred distance below a fluid surface when the raw water intake mechanism is placed in a raw water medium. 
     
     
       11. The system of claim 10, wherein the preferred distance is approximately two inches. 
     
     
       12. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the modules are sterilized and wherein the fourth module fluid inlet has a frangible seal therein to ensure sterility of the injectable quality solution, and wherein the sterilization mechanism is a microfilter. 
     
     
       13. The system of claim 1, including a heat sealable manifold connected intermediate the sterilization mechanism and a plurality of the intravenous solution bags so that individual bags can be filled sequentially and removed from the manifold by application of heat thereto without introducing contaminants into the system. 
     
     
       14. A sterile, modular, portable intravenous solution preparation system, comprising: a reusable potable water making first module having a substantially buoyant raw water intake mechanism having orientation means for orienting a fluid intake port at a preferred distance below a fluid medium surface, wherein the fluid intake port is fluidly connected in series to a pressure generating mechanism, a prefilter mechanism, a reverse osmosis mechanism and a quick release first module fluid outlet;   an injectable water making second module having a quick release second module fluid inlet fluidly connected in series to a deionizing mechanism, an activated carbon mechanism, and a quick release second module fluid outlet, wherein the second module fluid inlet is connectable only with the first module fluid outlet;   a consumable reagent third module having a quick release third module fluid inlet, a predetermined quantity of soluble reagent, and a quick release third module fluid outlet, and also having expandable frits between the reagent and the third module fluid inlet and the third module fluid outlet to volumetrically compensate for dissolution of the reagent thereby substantially avoiding the formation of voids and channels in the reagent as the reagent dissolve, wherein the third module fluid inlet is connectable only with the second module fluid outlet; and   a fourth single use sterilization module having a quick release fourth module fluid inlet fluidly connected in series to a sterilization mechanism and an intravenous solution bag, whereby insertion of the raw water intake mechanism into an impure water source followed by operation of the pressure generating mechanism causes impure water to flow through the system and become injectable quality solution in the intravenous solution bag.   
     
     
       15. The system of claim 14, wherein the preferred distance is approximately two inches. 
     
     
       16. The system of claim 14, including a heat sealable tube connected intermediate the sterilization mechanism and the intravenous solution bag so that the bag can be removed form the sterilization mechanism by application of heat to the tube without introducing contaminants into the bag.